Evaluation of heavy metals in different soils from multiple areas within the city of Mosul

   This study evaluated soil pollution by some heavy metals and statistically analyzed it in industrial and residential areas within the city of Mosul for two seasons (autumn  and spring 2023). Six different sites were selected from the city of Mosul, with a total of (48) samples at a depth of (0-15) cm of surface soil. The research included measuring the physical and chemical properties that control the distribution of heavy metals in the soil and comparing them with global standards, and observing the impact of industrial and human pollution sources that are deposited in the soil without treatment, which negatively affects the properties of the soil and its different uses.

   Physical tests of soil texture showed that it ranges between (mixed, sandy mixed, sandy-clay mixed). The results of chemical tests showed that the soil acidity was neutral to alkaline, as its rates varied between (7.09-7.88) and its highest value was in the autumn season. While the rates of soil electrical conductivity values ranged between (0.75-4.04) milli/cm, in addition to the rates of organic matter values, which were between (1.53-2.43)%.Soil sample analysis revealed that all industrial areas were contaminated with zinc, with concentrations surpassing global standards at 1187 parts per million. The Valley of Akkab Industrial area exhibited the highest zinc pollution, followed by the Karameh Industrial area. Nickel concentrations exceeded global standards in both industrial and residential areas, decreasing during the spring due to rainfall. The study indicated that cadmium concentrations did not surpass globally allowed limits, ranging between 0.08 to 0.17 parts per million. Additionally, arsenic concentrations increased during the spring in both industrial and residential areas, reaching a peak of 55.10 parts per million in the Kokjli area during autumn.